USA: Davis Mountains Aoudad Hunt With Hunter Ross Desert Safaris

[Red Leg]

Just returned from a fabulous four-day hunt for aoudad in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. My outfitter was Hunter Ross who owns Hunter Ross Desert Safaris. These are free range sheep which occupy the 4 - 6k ft altitude band of the Big Bend country. Released some fifty-years ago, these Barbary Sheep probably decided they had arrived in heaven and have multiplied accordingly! I was there at the worst time to hunt a ram. Though we saw 50-75 sheep daily, the mature rams were in secluded bachelor herds. We finally connected on a fine 29 inch ram the afternoon of the third day.

This is a challenging hunt. We covered lots of territory over three low fence ranches totaling 170 thousand acres. Accommodations were great, and the terrain alone was worth the visit.

 

[Royal27]

Sweet.....

I was talking about this hunt with a guy the other day, or Texas Auodad. I'd like to do this sometime for sure. And I've never actually been to the Davis Mountains, even as a Texan....

Can't see the picture though? Is it just me?

 

[Pheroze]

I read that sheep hunting is addictive! Sounds like you had a great time. I can't see the photo either btw

 

[Red Leg]

I am trying to post from my forum photos. Probably doing something wrong. You can go to those. These guys are like a Volkswagen with horns.

 

[cpr0312]

Congrats! I agree, these are some of if not the toughest animals I ever hunted!

 

[Royal27]

These guys are like a Volkswagen with horns.

Perfect description of the picture! Love it!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Looks like their kind of country.

Congratulations on a fine ram.

 

[Sand Rat]

On my short list for sure, thanks for posting.

 

[Wheels]

Congratulations Red Leg. Looks like you got a great ram.

 

[CAustin]

Man that is a good looking Ram! Congrats sir!

 

[flatwater bill]

Red Leg.................very nice Aoudad............................love the country in the background. Was this booked as a four day hunt and if so did you hunt the entire time? Looking at hunts... and many are 3 days, so just wondering if you added another day. A lot of these W Texas Aoudad hunts want you to shoot the first day of your hunt so they can send you home early. I would like to hunt a little longer than one day, and look a little more.......4 or 5 days sounds great.......you done good.............................FWB

 

[Red Leg]

This was booked as a four-day hunt. Guide and Hunter Ross worked their butts off with the goal of getting me a good ram. We saw a representative but immature 27-28 inch ram late on the second day, and my guide wouldn't let me consider taking him. Switched camps at the end of the second day because we were seeing a lot of ewes but no mature rams (function of the time of year not actual scarcity). This necessitated Hunter keeping open a camp which he had planned to close when his client shot his ram (Craig Boddington - we passed on the ranch entrance road). These were folks whose only motivation was to get their client the best possible sheep. I'll go back.

 

[hunting4sanity]

Congratulations! Absolutely gorgeous ram.

 

[Pheroze]

Doesn't look like there is much cover. How close were you able to get? Are these normally long shots?

 

[Red Leg]

The laser had 209, before the group broke and started over the hill - so say 225 at the shot and about a 20 degree uphill angle. I would be prepared for a 300 yard shot. It is ideal spot and stalk country. We saw groups out to a thousand yards, but there was plenty of geographic relief to enable a stalk.

 

[lwaters]

I hunted free range auodad on a ranch by Post Texas. For the money best sheep hunt there is.

 

[sierraone]

Looks like you had a great hunt, and not far down the road from you either! What is that? Around 500 miles from Austin.

 

[flatwater bill]

RL............that definitely sounds like my kind of guide and outfitter..........thanks for sharing...................FWB

 

[Red Leg]

Looks like you had a great hunt, and not far down the road from you either! What is that? Around 500 miles from Austin.

505 from my front door. And a fast 500 - most of the way the speed limit is 80, and there is little traffic beyond San Antonio.

 

[Jody]

Great sheep red leg, be careful, they are addictive. I'm Pacing around the house for the next month before heading back to Texas for another aoudad hunt.